County Commission Votes Against Tax Increases

VIERA, FLORIDA — Brevard County Commissioners rejected proposals to increase the sales tax or gas tax to help pay for road maintenance and upgrades.

Trudie Infantini

Vocal opponents of the half cent sales tax included 17 citizens who raised their objections during the public comment section, as well as commissioner Trudie Infantini. Following the meeting, Infantini praised the decision by the commission.

“I’m really thrilled that all of the commissioners listened to the people this time, but I don’t have any strong hope that they won’t do it before the commission changes,” Infantini said. “For once the commissioners listened to the people when they said ‘please don’t raise our taxes.’ I hope this time it sticks.”

According to the county’s advisory committee chairman Larry Schultz said the half-cent sales tax would raise $17.45 million a year, the gas tax would raise $7.8 million a year and the impact fees would raise $3.4 million a year for the county.